Foundation stone is laid as countdown to opening of new Birkdale care village gets underway

Southport MP Damien Moore swapped the backbenches for the driving seat of a heavy-duty forklift truck, as he laid down the first foundation stone at care operator Belong’s new £16m state-of-the-art development in Birkdale.

The foundation stone ceremony marked a milestone in the village operator’s latest project, which, once completed, will provide pioneering dementia care services and a range of facilities open to the public.

Belong has appointed North West construction company, Pochin, as the main contractor, alongside architects, Pozzoni, to develop the state-of-art care village, which will feature distinctive details and materials inspired by the West Birkdale Conservation Area, including Reigate Medium Multi brickwork, stone cladding to apartment balconies and feature window surrounds.

Upon completion, the new development, on Oxford Road, will become Belong’s eighth village, providing class-leading dementia care and high-specification accommodation for over 100 people, including 24-hour care and nursing support to 72 people in extended family sized households.

In addition, there will be 30, one and two bedroom, independent living apartments, together with a range of facilities open to the public, including a bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and function rooms, designed to promote maximum engagement with local communities.

The Birkdale development has been made possible through Belong’s partnership with Octopus Healthcare, a UK-leading investor, developer and manager of healthcare properties. Octopus Healthcare has played a key role in funding the Birkdale project and will support Belong in the village delivery process.

MP Damien Moore was thrilled to be involved with the project, saying: “Belong’s new Birkdale village will be of huge significance to my constituency. The class-leading care provided and range of great facilities available will really benefit the local community.”

Belong Chief Executive, Tracey Stakes, is also looking forward to the completion of the Birkdale village. She commented: “Birkdale is a perfect location for Belong and we’re excited to be launching our first seaside village! We are confident it will quickly prove a real asset to the local area, providing high quality care services for older people and the wider community.”

Belong Birkdale is due to open in autumn 2019. For further enquiries, please call: 01704 614101

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